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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: mary williams <m_williams4@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 18:00:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dearest Beloved One,


Dearest Beloved One,
 
I greet you in the name of the Lord
 
and thank you so much for the short email that i have written to you  through this personal email address that I forwarded to you as part of trust.I am Mrs. Mary Williams, from Philippines. I am married to Dr. Isaac Williams who worked with our Embassy in Cote D'ivoire for nine years before he died on the 15th August 2008.
 
We were married for eleven years with only a child. My husband died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Ever before his death we were both born again Christians and have sown into many ministries.Since his death I decided not to remarry, but feeling quite lonely if not the Lord who has been my partner and comforter with the joy that my only son Henry was given to me.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of$10.5 Million United State Dollars. USD in one  Bank here in Cote D lvoire.Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Four months due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church,organization or good person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein and also make a promise to me that my son Henry will be properly taken care of. I want a church,organization or good person that will use this funds to help the orphans, widows and other
people that need financial assistance.Using part of this money to provide facilities for God,s work, taking the gospel to greater height is my major reason of donating this funds out and also sending my son to school.
 
The Bible made us to understand that"Blessed is the hand that giveth".l took this decision because I know that with you and my son that all is well because God had made the promise to us that the destitudes should be looked after, there is no other person that can inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and it had been their wish to see my husband dead in order that they might inherit his wealth since we had just one son and who is young. These people are therefore not worthy of this inheritance. This is why I am taking this decision. Meanwhile I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. It is only a sinner who's death is painful I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development because of the steps they have taken formally and l know that With God all things are possible.
 
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the BANK in Cote d' lvoire. I will also issue a letter of authorization to the BANK that will prove you the present beneficiary to this Money as my late husband did not declear the real content of the BANK reason and his safety back then. I also want you to always uplift me in prayer.
 
My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in truth and faith, "serving him with all you have, knowing that naked we come and naked we must go"  and any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another good person, church,organization for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein and promise that with this fund that you will take care of my only son.
 
Hoping to receive your response immedaitely.
Thanks and Remain blessed in the Lord.
Your Sister in Christ.
Mrs.Mary Williams




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